2 Congress MLAs face 6-year ban

The Congress high command has reportedly cracked the whip on MLAs threatening to resign or disrupting the sittings of the state Assembly beginning on Monday. It has taken the resignation of its two MLAs seriously and may expel them from the party for six years.

The former ministers, Mr R. Damodar Reddy (Suryapet), and Mr C. Mutyam Reddy (Dommat), submitted their resignations on Sunday, protesting against the Centre’s attitude towards the formation of Telangana. Mr Damodar Reddy has been in the Congress for three decades.

Mr Mutyam Reddy severed his ties with the Telugu Desam and joined the Congress in the presence of YSR, a year ago. He was given a party ticket and got elected.

According to sources, while two other MLAs, Mr P. Narasa Reddy (Gajwel) and Mr Bikshamaiah Gowd (Aler) had also announced they would resign on Saturday, the PCC chief Mr D. Srinivas, convinced them not to quit. The PCC chief was reportedly informed that orders expelling Mr Damodar Reddy and Mr Mutyam Reddy would be issued in a couple of days.

Mr Srinivas has been calling each legislator personally and convincing him not to resign and obstruct the proceedings of the House. Mr Srinivas has been specifically told by the party high command to inform legislators that any violation of its directive will be taken seriously. “If you resign, what will happen? You will be greeted with bouquets by Telangana activists for a day or two and after that no one bothers about you. The Congress will not re-nominate you, so what is the use?” Mr Srinivas reportedly told each legislator.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, ministers and PCC leaders have been warning MLAs that if a crisis is precipitated by large numbers of resignations, the Centre will have no option but to impose President Rule in the state which will put the Telangana issue on the backburner.

Mr Srinivas has also reportedly asked MLAs and MLCs who have issued statements about their intention to obstruct or boycott the Governor’s Address to the Joint Session of the state Assembly on Monday to withdraw such moves.

“How can you object to the policies of your own government? How can you boycott the House being members of the ruling party?” Mr Srinivas asked them.

Sources said the Union urban affairs minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy who belongs to Telangana, was also asked by the high command to rein in party MLAs.

A last minute effort by some ministers to pacify the two Congress MLAs to withdraw their resignation did not succeed. It is learnt that the Speaker has decided to accept the 14 resignations pending with him by Monday morning.(DC)